Tent suspension apparatus



May 23, 1950 2,508,679

W. P. MCCLELLAN ETAI- TENT SUSPENSION APPARATUS Filed April 15, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet l May 23, 1950 w. P. MccLl-:LLAN Er Al. 2,508,679

TENT SUSPENSION APPARATUS l 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April l5, 1946 l .lrvllllllllA EEE-: {L r-.. l

MTL- le... l -I LEI l Patented May 23, 1950 UNITED TENT SUSPENSION APPARATUS William P. McClellan and Frank A. Scples, Milwaukee, Wis.

Application April 15, 1946, Serial No. 662,196

1l Claims. (Cl. 135-1) This invention relates to improvements in tent suspension apparatus.

The erection of tents for use in carnivals, fairs, or for other purposes, consumes considerable time and requires the services of a substantial number of helpers.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide improved tent suspension apparatus which can be manipulated by one or two men to quickly erect a relatively large size tent.

A further object of the invention is to provide tent suspension apparatus wherein the necessity of utilizing interior poles is eliminated, and wherein the lower edges of side walls may be firmly held in place without the use of the usual ground stakes, thereby eliminating the tedious stake pounding operations which are ordinarily necessary.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus as above described, and including vertical supporting posts, wherein said posts are equipped with vertically movable elevators for raising the canvas top and the fabric sides to be suspended therefrom.

A further object is to provide, as one form of the invention, supporting mechanism carried by a truck or trailer body whereby two or more of said bodies may be used as anchorage for the canvas sustaining cables.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in the truck or trailer body adaptation, vertical supporting posts secured to the bodies, said posts having telescoping sections for increasing the eective length of the posts when said bodies are being used for tent supporting purposes. In this form of the invention the same bodies which support the tent are used for transporting the tent and the users other equipment when moving from one location to another.

A further object of the invention is to provide in apparatus as above described, winch mechamsm for facilitating the raising of the canvas top.

With the above and other objects in View, the invention consists of the improved tent suspension apparatus, and all its parts and combinations, as set forth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

In the accompanying drawing, illustrating complete embodiments of preferred forms of the invention, in which the same reference numerals designate the same parts in all of the views:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a tent in erected condition and supported by the appa- 55,

ratus of one form of the invention, the front o1' the tent being removed;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View through one of the trailer bodies showing a connected tent post in extended condition, parts being broken away;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the extended post of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational View of one of the elevators alone;

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the elevator of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a perspective View showing one end portion of a tent supported by a modiiied form of apparatus;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view through one of the posts of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a iront elevational View of the post of Fig. 7, part being broken away;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view of one of the posts showing the winding gears; and

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line Ill-I D of Fig. 8.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, makes use of the bodies of transportation vehicles such as the trailers I2 illustrated in Fig. 1. These may be the same truck or trailer bodies which are used to transport carnival, concession, or other equipment from one town to another. In the adaptation of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1, four of the trailer bodies l2 are utilized, and each trailer body is equipped with Wheels i3 and is supported on the rear end of an automotive truck chassis lll.

Secured to one of the sides of each of the bodies l2 are one or more supporting posts Iii. It is preferred to utilize three of these posts on each trailer body in equally spaced relationship.

Each supporting post includes spaced side p0rtions i6 having inner vertical edges secured to the truck or trailer body l2. The outer vertical edges of the side portions It are flanged toward one another as at il but terminate short of meeting to provide a vertical front slot IB.

Telescopically slideable within the main section of each post is an upper telescoping section I9 and a lower telescoping section 2li. The top section i9 may be channel shaped in cross section to include a rear wall having rack teeth 2|, and to include spaced side Walls 22, each having front anges 23 which terminate short of meeting to provide a front slot 24. The latter is in alignment with the slot I8 of the main section.

The bottom section 20 is preferably channelshaped in cross section to include a rear wall having rack teeth 25, and to include spaced side walls 26 having front flanges 21. The front iianges terminate short of meeting to provide a front slot 28.

Within the trailer body l2, near the bottom thereof, is a horizontal shaft 29 which may extend the full length of the truck, Mounted on the shaft are rack actuating gears 38, one for each of the supporting posts I5. The rack actuating gears project through slots 3| in the wall of the body l2 and engage the rack teeth 25 of the bottom extensions 2l) so as to cause telescoping movement when the gears 39` are rotated,

Extending longitudinally of the body near the upper portion thereof is another shaft 32 which is suitably supported for rotation. Suitable means such as an endless chainsA which connects sprocket wheels rigidly mounted onH the shaits- 29 and 32 is adapted to transmit rotation from the shaft 29 to the shaft 32.

Mounted rigidly onthe shaft 32is a gear 3%; which engages a gear 35 mounted rigidly onanother longitudinally extending shaft 35. The shaft Sii carries a gear 35 for eachione ofthe supporting posts. These gears project through slots 3T in the wall of the body and engage the adjacent rack teeth 2l. One end of the lower shaft V2t may be made to extend through the front end `of the trailer body and be equipped with a crank 38. Rotation ofthe crank in one direction will cause the extensions 20 and i9 to be projectedk simultaneously outwardly to the position of Fig. 2. Rotation of the crank in the opposite direction will cause the extensions to be retracted toa suitable position so as not to interfere withmovement of the trailer. A dog 39 engaging the ratchet wheel on the shaft 29 (see Fig. l), may be employed to releasably hold the mechanism in a desiredcondition of adjustment. If desired, the shaft 29 may be driven by a suitable connection with the power take-oir of the truck.

Movable vertically in each of the supporting posts is a travelling pulley or elevator fi. Each elevator includes a transverse shaft si carrying guide wheels 42er; each end. A pulley1 43 is loosely mountedron the central portion of the shaft 4| between spaced side members 44 of the elevator ira/me. A cable 45 having a hook 45 (see Fig. 1) on its outer endv is threaded behind f eachv pulley 43. The cable then extends upwardly within its supporting post and' passes over an idler puiley 41 which isvrotatably supported in fixed position near the top of the post extension IS. Each cable then extends downwardly at an angle through a hole 48 in the top oi the trailer body, around a suitably supported guiding pulley 49, and down to a winding drum or winch 5@ rigidly mounted on a shaft 5|.` The shaft 5i is suitably journalled for rotation and carries one winding drum 50 for each supporting post. Any suitable means may be employed for rotating the shaft 5|. For large tents, however, it is desirable to have a connection with the power tale-oii of the truck to facilitate the lifting of the relatively heavylcanvas top 52,

In use of the form of the invention just described, the truck or trailer bodies l2 are driven to proper. position such as is. shown in Fig. l, with the sides having the supporting posts facing each other. For tents which yare not too large, two trucks may be ample, one .at each end. For the type of `tent illustrated, however, two trucks or trailer bodies are utilized at each end. When the trucks are in proper position, then the cranks 38 are operated to cause the sections I9 and 29 to be projected to the positions shown in Figs. l, 2 and 3. The lower ends of the bottom extensions 25 are brought into firm engagement with the ground to thus provide an effective Outrigger support for the body. Thus, any strains are transmitted to the ground rather than to the vehicle chassis.

Next, the shaft 5i is rotated to let out cable E5 and lower the elevators e0 to the approximate position of Fig. 2. For the ridge type of tent illustrated in Fig. 1, certain of the elevators may start out at a slightly higher elevation than othersso that they will end up in a correspondingly higher position as in Fig. l. With the elevators in the lowered position, the canvas top 52 is spread outV onthe ground between the two sets of supporting posts. The ends of the cables 45 are then threaded through loops 53 on top of the canvas, and the hooks 46 on the ends of the cables fromone side are engagedwithzloops on the ends of the .cables from the othery side as is clear from Fig. 1. Theedgesof'the canvas 52 may also be equipped with hooks for connection with loops 54 on the elevators. In addition, the -end drops 55 may have their upper edges connected to the elevator loops 54 or to the edges of the canvas top 52. A rear drop56', andif desired,- also a front. drop, may be suitablyconnectedto the front and rear edges of the canvas top. With the tentv parts thus connected,v the shaftsi on the trailer bodies are rotated'to cause movement of the elevators A-from the-.lowered positionof Fig. 2 to raised positions withintheupper extensions I9. This causes raising of the .canvas top 52`to the position of Fig. 1 anda simultaneous raising of thervertical drops-55 and55.' By stretching the cables 45 tightly, the portions of the cables which are threaded through the loops 530i the canvas top will-assume Vrelatively rigid positions to suppcrtthe top withoutxthenuse of'any interior posts.

The-lower edges of thedrops 55 may be connected to loops-51 at the lower'ends of the post extensions 2t. To tie down the other drops such as the drop 5t; cables lmaybe employed. These cablesthread :through .the lower ends ofthe front and rear.y supporting postsi extend upwardlythrough holes inthe -bottom of `'thetrailer, and connect with winding drums 5t.. rigidly mounted on shaft Sii.- Thel cables HSilloneone side Ymay* be detachabl-y connected with the. ends of cables 53 from .thebodies l2 onthe other side This connection .may bef-the same -as the hooks l used ontop.. Thus, when the-shafts ll-lonboth sides are rotated,- theground Jcables 58. mayV be drawn taut so -that vthe-lower edges of-drops such as the drop56= may be anchoredthereto. Thus, the necessity of utilizing -ground :stakes is eliminated;

In the form of theinventionillustrated.l in Figs. 6 `tei-.10, inclusive, thestructureis Vquite similar in. .principle except .thatho truck or trailer bodies are utilized. Inpthis vform ofthe invention, theA supporting posts Si are generally channel-shaped in crossfsectionfand provided-with front anges.

S2 which'v terminate short of. meetinggto .provide-v a spaceBS. Y Suitably connected-taeach post at the lowerend thereof, byf weldingiorfany otherl suitable method, are apertured lugs 64 which project forwardly andrearwardlyirom thepost.

The lower. end of. each postswth the lugsl thereonis lremovably insertable between spaced.' plates 65 .which project upwardly from a base member 66. The plates 65 areprovidecl with apertureslwhich register with apertures in the lugsf 64, when the parts are in proper assembled position, so that pins 61 may be inserted to removably hold a post in assembled position on a base. Each base member is also formed with holes E8 at each corner so that stakes 69 may be driven through the holes and into the ground to anchor the' bases in position. To additionally brace each post metal braces l may be employed. These braces are adapted to be detachably bolted to the upper ends of the posts as at 1|, and to be anchored to the ground by means of pegs 'l2 driven through openings 13 and into the ground.

'The posts may be independent of one another or may be permanently or detachably connected in groups by transverse members 74 as in Fig. 6. Movable in each post is an elevator 'I5 having spaced side portions T6 through which an axle "ll extends. Guiding wheels 18 are mounted on the ends of the aXle. In addition, pulleys 19 and 8i] are loosely mounted on the axle intermediate the elevator side portions 15. The elevator proper may be recessed as at 8|, on each side, to cooperate with the edges of the flanges 62 in maintaining the elevator in proper position.

Projecting from the rear side of each post approximately intermediate its length are plates 82 to which the shaft 83 for a winding drum 84 is journalled. One end of each shaft 83 is provided with a rigidly mounted gear 840 which meshes with a smaller gear 85 mounted on a stud shaft 85. One end of each stud shaft may be squared as at Si for cooperation with a crank. A dog 88 may be employed to releasably hold the winding drum against retrograde movement.

Windable on each drum is a cable 89 which extends over a guiding pulley 9U at the upper end of the post, down and around the pulley 80 on the elevator, upwardly again and around a guiding pulley 9i, which is rotatably mounted near the top of the post, and then down and under the pulley 19. From this point the cable passes out through a hole in the elevator 15.

In use oi the structure shown in Figs. 6 to 10 inclusive, the canvas top 92 may be laid out on the ground just as heretofore described in connection with the top portion 52 of Fig. 1.V The end drops 93 may be hooked to the end edges of the top 92 or to hooks 94 on the elevators. The front and rear drops 95 may be suitably connected at their upper edges to the front and rear edges of the top 92. With the cable ends 89 threaded through loops 96 on the canvas top and connected to the ends of cables from another set of posts at the other end, just as is done at .d in Fig, l, and with the edges of the top connected to the elevator hooks 94, when the top may be readily raised by applying cranks to the ends Sl of the studs. This will cause winding of the cables 89 on the drums 84 to cause lifting of the elevators from lowered positions to raised positions. By continuing the winding for a few turns the cable portions 89 will be stretched taut to form a relatively rigid support. Ground cables 91 stretched tightly between the supporting posts at the ends, and ground cables 98 at the front and rear, may be utilized for anchoring the lower ends of the drops 93 and 95 to eliminate the necessity of employing ground stakes.

It is apparent that in both forms of the invention tents may be quickly erected with an expenditure of a relatively small amount of effort. It is also apparent that in both forms of the invention the elevators are employed both for raising the top and for pulling the top supporting cables taut.

Various changes and modications may be made, without departing :from the spirit of the invention, and al1 of such changes are contemplated, as may come within the scope of the claims.

What we claim is:

1. In a tent suspension apparatus, an upright supporting post, at least one extension telescopically associated with said post, and a travelling pulley associated with said supporting post and extension to move longitudinally therealong and having means associated therewith for connection with a tent portion to raise the latter when said travelling pulley is moved upwardly.

2. In a tent suspension apparatus, a vehicle body, an upright supporting post connected to said body, an extension section telescopically associated with the lower end of said post, means for moving said extension downwardly into engagement with the ground to form an Outrigger support for the vehicle body, and a travelling pulley associated with said extension and supporting post to move longitudinally therealong and having means associated therewith for connection with a tent portion to raise the latter when said travelling pulley is moved upwardly.

3. In a tent suspension apparatus, a Vehicle body, an upright supporting post connected to said body, an extension section telescopically associated with the lower end of said post, rack and pinion means for moving said extension downwardly into engagement with the ground to form an Outrigger support for the vehicle body, and a travelling pulley associated with said extension and supporting post to move longitudinally therealong and having means associated therewith for connection with a tent portion to raise the Vlatter when said travelling pulley is moved upwardly.

4. In a tent suspension apparatus, a vehicle body, an upright supporting post connected to said body, an extension section telescopically associated with the lower end of said post, means for moving said extension section downwardly into engagement with the ground to form an outrigger support for the vehicle body, an extension section telescopically associated with the upper end of said post, and a travelling pulley associated with said supporting post and extensions to vmove longitudinally therealong and having means associated therewith for connection with a tent portion to raise the latter when said travelling pulley is moved upwardly.

5. In a tent suspension apparatus, a vehicle body, an upright supporting post connected to said body, an extension section telescopically associated with the lower end of said post, means for moving said extension downwardly into engagement with the ground to form an Outrigger support for the vehicle body, a travelling pulley associated with said extension and supporting post to move longitudinally therealong and having means -associated therewith for connection with a tent portion to raise the latter when the travelling pulley is moved upwardly, a ground cable threaded through the lower portion of said extension section, and means on the vehicle body for tightening said ground cable.

6. A tent comprising supporting posts at one end, oppositely disposed supporting posts at the other end, elevators movably associated with said supporting posts, cable guiding means at the upper portions of said posts, a cable winding drum for at least one of each pair of oppositely disposed posts, a cable for each oppositely disposed pair of posts connected at the ends thereof to armste-7,9

atI leastone of said Winding. drums and extend-- insfover the guidingV means of both of saidiposts and through the elevatorsofsaid. posts, there being a portion of said cable extending substan-Y tially horizontally between the elevators Of said posts, anda tent top supportedby thehorizontal extents of said cables.

7. A tent comprising. supporting, posts at one end, oppositely disposed supporting, posts at the other end, elevators movablyassoiated .with said Supporting posts, pulleys on, said elevators, pulleys rotatably mounted atthe upper portionsof said posts, cable winding drums onsaid posts, a cable connected at the endsthereofto thecwinding drums of each pair of voppostely disposed posts and extending over theY guiding pulleys and around a portion of the-elevator pulleysrof said posts, therebeing a portion of .said cable extending substantially horizontally between said elevator pulleys, a tent topsupported by thehorizontal extents of said cables, and lmeans for releasably .locsinsthe drums asainstretrosrade movement to releasably maintain the elevators ,inraised po sition and to maintain the cables taut..

8.' Atent comprising a vehicle bodygatvone end, a. vehicle body at the oppositeend, supporting postscarried by .theI facing sides of said vehicle bodies, elevators movably Y associated with said supporting fpostsf, pulleys on said elevators,- pulleys rotatably mounted at the upper: portions of said posts, cable, winding vdrums .0n 'said vehicle bodies, a. cable. forV each pair of oppositelyl disposed .posts connected at one..end..to awinding drum on one-of saidvehiclebodes and connected at the other endto a .Winding-drum 'onthe other vehicle body-said cable extending over Vthe guild.F ing. pulleys of said pair of oppositelydisposed posts and around portions of the elevator pulleys of 'said posts, there being a portion of said cable extendingssubstantially horizontally between said elevatorpulleys, antent top supported bythe hor,- izontal extents of said cables,v and means for re.- leas-ably locking ther drums against retrograde movement to -releasablyinaintainvthe elevators in raised-position and to maintain' the. cables taut.

9. In a tent suspension apparatusv a pair of means/and then through said elevator,and hay -5 ingthe. other end Vprojecting` substantially hori- 81 zontally from said elevator and separably connectedto the projecting end of the cable ofthe oppositely` disposed deviceto provide raising and supporting means for a tent top.

10. A Atent comprising supporting posts at one end, oppositely disposed supporting posts at the other-end, elevators movably associated with said supportingr posts, cable guiding means at the uppeizportions of said posts, at least one cable windingdrum for each pair of oppositely disposed posts,..a cable for each pair .of oppositely disposed posts, said cable being connected at one end to saidwinding drum and extending over the guidingr` means ofvone ofsaid posts, thence through the elevator. of said. post and projecting horizontally to and through the elevatorA of the other of, said posts, thence overthe guiding means of saldo-ther post to a connection with said other post, fabric wall members connected at their upper edges to said elevators, and a fabric top member connected to the horizontal stretches of said cables.-

11. A tent comprising supportinglposts at one end, oppositely disposed supporting posts at the other end, elevators movably associa-ted with said supporting posts, pulleys on said elevators, guiding pulleys rotatably mounted at the upperrportions -of said posts,V cable Winding drums on said posts, a cable for each pairof loppositely disposed posts, said cable Ybeing connected at one end to thel winding drum of one of said posts and extending*V overL thek guidingv pulley of said post, thence-around a portion ofv the elevator pulley of' said post and projecting horizontally to and around a portion of the elevator pulley ofthe other of Asaid oppositely disposed pair-of posts,

hence over the-'guiding pulley of said other post to connect tothe winding drum of said other post, fabricl'wall members connectednat their upper edges to said elevators, and a fabric top member connected-A to the horizontal stretches ofv said cables.

WILLIAM P. MCCLELLN. FRANK '-A. SCIPLES.

Y REFERENCES CITEDv The "following references are of :record in the le of this' patent:

UNFIEDy STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 916,762 McFadden Mar. 3D, 1909 927,680 Roberts July 13, 1909 1,122,527 Melchor Dec. 29, 1914 1,179,469v Schultz Apr. 18, 1916 2,128,712 Neff Aug. 30,V 1938 

